knee pants

American  

plural noun

1. knee-length pants, especially those formerly worn by boys considered too young to wear full-length trousers (often used as a term symbolizing youth).

   I haven't felt this way since I was in knee pants.

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Etymology

Origin of knee pants

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

knee pants

George M. Cohan, who has been a professional actor since he wore knee pants, went to see an amateur show last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

When Hitler's SS bullies were still in knee pants, the Frankfurter Zeitung was a great and influential liberal newspaper, respected the world over as "the Manchester Guardian of Germany."

From Time Magazine Archive

As a page in knee pants at the Oklahoma legislature, he wrote a critical piece on the state senate, shyly showed it to a reporter.

From Time Magazine Archive

But moviegoing youngsters may find it hard to believe that Gable was already going great guns when Van Johnson was just learning to shave, and Frank Sinatra growing out of knee pants.

From Time Magazine Archive

At seven and nine years old—blurs of untucked shirts, grimy knee pants, and stockings bagging down around their ankles— they overtook the shop with their noise.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu